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Sir Edmund Hillary School Khumjung, Nepal May 8 - May 30, 2011
Expedition Itinerary
May 8 - May 30, 2011
May 8: Kathmandu (1360m) Your expedition host meets you upon arrival in Kathmandu and transferred to Hotel Shankar. An evening trek briefing. Welcome dinner at the Garden of Dreams, a former royal courtyard. (D) May 9: Kathmandu (1360m) Explore Kathmandu on a guided tour and visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer. Visit Pashupatinath, a famous Hindu temple, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. Walk through the bustling Durbar Square. Afternoon free. Tonights dinner is at Rum Doodle, Kathmandus famous dining spot for Everest veterans. (B,D) May 10: Kathmandu/ Lukla(2827m)/ Phakding (2,652m) A spectacular 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m), flying parallel to giant Himalayan mountains. We land at the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid1960s. Time to explore Lukla while our Sherpa team sorts out our luggage and equipment for the trek. We begin our trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar. The walking is easy and after passing through small villages, we overnight in Phakding. (B, L,D) May 11: Phakding / Namche Bazaar(3,446m) We cross the river and head up the valley to Namche Bazaar. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom. We cross the Dudh Kosi River again at Benkar, where there are tantalizing glimpses of the snow-capped peaks. En route stop for lunch and afternoon walk includes the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading village where Tibetans are often seen trading rugs and Chinese-made goods, clothing, salt and dried meat. After crossing a large suspension bridge high above the river, we slowly ascend with some fantastic photo opportunities as Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse come into view for the first time. (B, L, D) May 12: Namche Bazaar(3,446m) Khumjung(3,840m) Visit the Sherpa House Museum to see an interesting display of Sherpa lifestyle and early mountaineering history of the Himalayas. Today, we trek further north to the village of Khumjung, our base for 2 nights. Spend two days to acclimatize and take part in the 50th Anniversary celebrations at Sir Edmund Hillary School.(B, L, D) May 13 Khumjung(3,840m) Our second day in Khumjung. We pay another visit to the school to attend a special ceremony and your individual personalized donation to the school (Donation is included). Music and dance show by children of the school. (B, L, D) May 14: Khumjung/ Tengboche(3,875m) We ascend, through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forests towards monastic village of Tengboche, located in a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering peaks and a peaceful and tranquil setting. The notable peaks seen from here are Kantega, Ama Dablam, the most beautiful peak in the region and, of course, Mount Everest. Evening visit the monastery to witness the "pooja" ceremony and get blessings from monks. (B, L, D) May 15: Tengboche / Dingboche (4,360m) Another visit to the monastery and the nearby museum. Leave Tengboche on a pleasant walk ascending gradually above the Imja Khola River and passing the tea houses and old glacial moraines on our way to our lodge in Dingboche. The scenery is spectacular and although Everest here disappears behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge, the huge peaks that tower above the eastern end of the valley are ample compensation.
We are now above the tree-line, and in clear conditions, enjoy a spectacular sunset on Ama Dablam. We spend 2 nights in Dingboche to aid further acclimatization (B,L,D) May 16: Dingboche(4,360m) Rest & Acclimatization Day Spend the day relaxing or training hike to Chhukung or Imja Glacier for acclimatization. (B,L,D) May 17 Dingboche Lobouche(4930m) Easy day, gradual ascent, good clear path, more isolated desert/rock scenery. Climb the ridge and cross the flat plain above the Pheriche and pass the village of Duglha. Here we pass a row of stone monuments built in memory of climbers who have perished on various expeditions. Overnight in Lobouche. (B,L,D) May 18 Lobouche - Gorak Shep Everest Base Camp(5,400m) An early ascend on steep valley to Gorak Shep, the last outpost before the Everest Base camp. Throughout the day we have tremendous views of Nuptse and then Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse forming the border with Tibet. After a rest and some refreshments at Gorak Shep, we proceed to Everest Base Camp, another 3 hrs away. A hard day but well worth the effort and unforgettable experience to see the life at this desolate and yet much revered place by the mountaineering world. Heres your chance to savor the hustle and bustle of the frenzy and meet face to face with Everest Climbing Expeditions. Camp at the Everest Base Camp. (B,L,D) May 19 EBC Gorak Shep(5160m) - Kala Pattar Lobouche Early wake up to witness a pooja ceremony at the base camp altar by Everest mountaineering teams (if scheduled.) Hike back to Gorak shep. After a rest, ascent Kala Pattar peak (5545m) for a classic view of Everest's southwest face. All around are the giants of the mountain world, Pumori (7145m), Changtse (7553m), Nuptse (7855m) and Lhotse (8516m). The views are incredible. The Khumbu Icefall and even the tents at Everest Base Camp can be seen. Descent to Gorak Shep. After lunch we head down the valley to Lobouche, where we stop for the night. (B,L,D) May 20 Lobouche(4910m) Chukkung(4780m) We take it easy today trek about 4-hours down the valley, with great views of Island Peak and the spectacular Ama Dablam dominating the skyline. We reach Chukkung for lunch. Afternoon, sit back, relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery. (B,L,D) May 21 Chukkung(4780m) Island Peak Base Camp(5090m) Another short day, a 3-hour trek following the moraines that flow from Lhotse towards the sand flats to Island Peak Base Camp arriving around noon. Free afternoon. Overnight camp. (B,L,D) May 22 & 23 High Camp to Island Peak Climb (6189m) We spend the next two days to train and prepare for our biggest challenge of the trek an attempt on Island Peak. The strategy will be decided, taking into account the group's acclimatization, fitness, weather, snow conditions and other factors. On first day, we rest in the morning and after lunch ascend from Base Camp to High Camp (5700m), a steep, two-hour climb up grassy slopes on a well-defined trail. The site of the camp is just below the permanent snowline. Next morning we leave very early for a summit attempt. The summit push takes approx 5-6 hours, depending on snow and weather. We will fix a rope on the summit headwall for safety on both the ascent and descent. Although it is not a difficult climb technically, the snow slopes are crevassed, the headwall is reasonably steep and a good head for heights is useful. To reach the summit, will power and good stamina is required, but the incredible feeling of achievement atop this 6000metre giant will remain a lifetime memory. The view from the summit is incredible. Descend from the summit to the Island Peak base camp, rest & overnight stay (B,L,D) May 24 Island Peak Base Camp- Pangboche We dismantle camp and head down the valley to Pangboche village where we overnight today. (B,L,D)
5-7 person team: C$3995 per person 8-10 person team: C$3690 per person 11-16 person team: C$3390 per person
Price Includes: Domestic flights between Kathmandu Lukla
Kathmandu; All airport transfers in Kathmandu; 4-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with buffet breakfast daily; Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu with admissions to temples; accommodation and all meals during the lodge-based trek; Twoman mountaineering tent accommodation during Island Peak climb; One night camping at Everest Base Camp with food, foam mattresses, sleeping tent, dining tent, and toilet tent; Daily wages and food during the lodge trek for guide and porters. Complete kitchen equipment will be arranged as per program; Fix ropes, snow bar and pitons for the climbing portion; Transfer of climbing equipment to/from Lukla; Local taxes, climbing/trekking guide, staff, and porters insurance; Domestic airport departure tax; Your personal donation and participation at 50th Anniversary celebrations of Sir Edmund Hillary school in Khumjung, Nepal; Attendance at the International Mountaineering Day celebrations in Kathmandu; welcome & farewell dinners in Kathmandu and experienced mountaineering host and leader of Atourz Canada.
ATOURZ is the tour operator arm of Airliners, one of Canadas leading travel consolidators since 1996. ATOURZ specializes in unique escorted adventure tours, special interest and niche groups & individual travel services to all of the seven continents of the world.